Work continues at good pace on XX894. The team still has a very irritating problem with the main fuel system on the port engine to sort out but at least this troublesome engine now runs unaided by the ground start equipment although it refuses to accelerate correctly to idle. A few more weeks of tinkering and adjustments will hopefully see this issue fixed.The starboard engine was exercised on the same day up to 80% RPM and behaved faultlessly with both electric generators and hydraulic pumps coming on line correctly.

Photos from yesterday:

Fellow team member, Malcolm Runs up the Stad...(low pressure air starter).

TGT was 0 degrees at point of ignition and topped out at 200 degrees at 33% HP RPM. It should reach 400 degrees at idle (50-55% HP RPM) but due to our acceleration problem the engine fails to reach this point and instead settles back to 18% HP RPM (air off) at which point I have to chop the throttle because the temperature escalates toward 600 degrees rapidly! 600 degrees should only be reached at take off point at 100% HP RPM not 18% stationary

Today was a monumental day for all of the members of the Buccaneer Trust as XX894’s fuel system issues were finally fixed. On completion of the works, the port engine was started and tested through the speed range up to 80% HP RPM.Later during the same day, for the first time in years, 894 started and ran both engines simultaneously at, and above ground idle for approximately five minutes. There are still more hurdles to cross before taxi runs can commence, but these are minor compared to the problems that have dogged 894’s engines for the last three years.

Due to being in the cockpit I did not get any photos of the event, but will post some of the other team members photos when I get them. Mean while here is a couple from earlier in the day!

XX894 Successfully ran both here engines last weekend for approximately 10 minutes so that idling adjustments could be made.If you look closely you'll see that when the second (starboard) engine has spooled up, the generator is brought on line and the top spine rendezvous light illuminates and the bomb door is rotated!